An extended pro sports career demands that the body perform at a level that that’s almost inhuman. In his poignant letter to fans, Steve Nash reminds us that he’s played over 1300 games. Nash hasn’t been the bench warmer; no, he’s been the star of his teams, collecting minutes and points at an insane level for nearly 20 years. When he was signed with the team, no one expected another ten years out of him. The 40-year-old Nash’s addition to the roster was to be a final hurrah for him and a strong transition player for the team looking to establish a new identity. It was a shorter experiment than expected.
Los Angeles Lakers fans are a bit touchy at the moment so they freaked out watching the injured player hiking and golfing. Who knows? Those activities could help the future HOFer get back sooner. But most fans can’t remember when their beloved team hasn’t led the discussion of top NBA teams or been in title contention. They’ve had bad stretches, yes, but bad years like this? No! This is the worst team start since 1957. Right now, Nash and the Lakers fans find themselves in unchartered territory. Nash is dealing with a fan base that counts titles. Fans only recall the top Both must adjust to a new reality. Aaron Rodgers said it best. Maybe everyone should all just R-E-L-A-X.
Steve Nash’s letter on Facebook:
“I definitely don’t want to be a distraction, but I felt it best everyone heard from me in my own words.
I have a ton of miles on my back. Three buldging disks (a tear in one), stenosis of the nerve route and spondylolisthesis. I suffer from sciatica and after games I often can’t sit in the car on the drive home, which has made for some interesting rides. Most nights I’m bothered by severe cramping in both calves while I sleep, a result of the same damn nerve routes, and the list goes on somewhat comically. That’s what you deserve for playing over 1,300 NBA games. By no means do I tell you this for sympathy – especially since I see these ailments as badges of honor – but maybe I can bring some clarity.
I’ve always been one of the hardest workers in the game and I say that at the risk of what it assumes. The past 2 years I’ve worked like a dog to not only overcome these setbacks but to find the form that could lift up and inspire the fans in LA as my last chapter. Obviously it’s been a disaster on both fronts but I’ve never worked harder, sacrificed more or faced such a difficult challenge mentally and emotionally.
I understand why some fans are disappointed. I haven’t been able to play a lot of games or at the level we all wanted. Unfortunately that’s a part of pro sports that happens every year on every team. I wish desperately it was different. I want to play more than anything in the world. I’ve lost an incredible amount of sleep over this disappointment.
Competitiveness, professionalism, naiveté and hope that at some point I’d turn a corner has kept me fighting to get back. As our legendary trainer Gary Vitti, who is a close friend, told me, ‘You’re the last to know’ – and my back has shown me the forecast over the past 18-20 months. To ignore it any longer is irresponsible. But that doesn’t mean that life stops.
This may be hard for people to understand unless you’ve played NBA basketball, but there is an incredible difference between this game and swinging a golf club, hiking, even hitting a tennis ball or playing basketball at the park. Fortunately those other activities aren’t debilitating, but playing an NBA game usually puts me out a couple of weeks. Once you’re asked to accelerate and decelerate with Steph Curry and Kyrie Irving it is a completely different demand.
I’m doing what I’ve always done which is share a bit of my off-court life in the same way everyone else does. Going forward I hope we all can refocus our energies on getting behind these Lakers. This team will be back and Staples will be rocking.”
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